UK Crime and Policing Act 2026: nudification tools and AI child-abuse image generators
Supplying AI “nudification” tools has been a crime since 29 June 2026. A separate offence covering AI models built to generate child sexual abuse images is not yet in force.
Anyone who makes, adapts or supplies tools designed to create intimate images of real people, including app developers and distributors; user-to-user and search services (48-hour takedown).
Since 29 June 2026 it has been an offence to make, adapt or supply a tool designed to generate intimate images of real people, with a maximum of three years in prison. The offence applies in England and Wales only. The same commencement brought in a 48-hour takedown duty for intimate images.
The Act also creates an offence of making, adapting, possessing or supplying AI models designed to generate child sexual abuse material, with a maximum of five years. It is due to apply across the UK, but those provisions still await a commencement date.
Key dates
Royal Assent
Nudification-tool offence and 48-hour intimate-image takedown commence
Narrowed applies-to to tools designed for intimate images; clarified CSA-generator offence is in several sections, all still uncommenced; added s.100, s.73 and Home Office factsheets
Confirmed the nudification-tool offence applies in England and Wales only (Act s.254, Home Office circular)